[Nfb-science] Louis Braille Coin to be Launched into Space on May 11

[Freeh, Jessica]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE



CONTACT:

Chris Danielsen

Director of Public Relations

National Federation of the Blind

(410) 659-9314, ext. 2330

(410) 262-1281 (Cell)
<mailto:cdanielsen at nfb.org>cdanielsen at nfb.org



Louis Braille Coin to be Launched into Space on May 11

Commemorative Coin Will Fly on Space Shuttle Mission STS-125

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Baltimore, Maryland (May 7, 2009): The 2009 Louis Braille 
Bicentennial Silver Dollar, the first coin ever to feature readable 
Braille, will fly on NASA space shuttle Atlantis on May 11, 
2009.  The coin will be launched into space on mission STS-125, which 
will service NASA's Hubble Space Telescope.



The Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar was released by the 
United States Mint on March 26, 2009.  Sales of the coin will be used 
to support the National Federation of the Blind "Braille Readers are 
Leaders" campaign.  The campaign is a national initiative created to 
double the number of blind children learning Braille by 2015.



Dr. Marc Maurer, president of the National Federation of the Blind, 
said: "The Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar symbolizes the 
power of knowledge and future opportunities for blind children across 
America.  It is therefore fitting that this historic coin will be 
part of a mission to uncover the secrets of the universe.  Perhaps 
someday a Braille reader will also be part of such a mission."



"NASA believes strongly in the importance of educational 
opportunities for everyone," said Joyce Winterton, assistant 
administrator for education at NASA headquarters in Washington. "That 
is why we have partnered with the National Federation of the Blind to 
help create programs that enhance scientific study for blind youth. 
Launching the first coin to contain tactile, readable Braille into 
space symbolizes NASA's commitment to the spread of knowledge by 
every means and to every individual."



The Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar is currently on 
sale.  Those interested in ordering a coin should visit 
<http://www.usmint.gov/>www.usmint.gov or call 1-800-USA-MINT 
(872-6468).  For more information about the National Federation of 
the Blind and the Braille Readers are Leaders campaign, visit 
<http://www.braille.org/>www.braille.org.



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